27/02/2026

FRIDAY | FEB 27, 2026

3 Govt to replace ‘LGBT’ term with ‘deviant culture’

‘Enforcement at dakwah site due to canopy complaints’ PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur City Hall enforcement against the Street Dakwah site in Bukit Bintang was due to public complaints about a canopy installation, not the dakwah activities, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh. “The items (that were seized), such as chairs, folding tables, tents and trolleys were later retrieved by Multiracial Reverted Muslims (MRM). “No religious materials were seized by (City Hall),” she said during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Yeoh was responding to a supplementary question from Arau MP Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim, who sought clarification on the enforcement, including allegations of seizing dakwah materials such as pamphlets. “I would like to correct the statement made that the new mayor seized the materials of MRM. This is slander, and we should think positively during the month of Ramadan.” Yeoh said the City Hall officer on duty was so affected by online harassment on Facebook, stirred by sentiments from certain parties, that he had to deactivate his social media account. “This saddens me because of the many perceptions being spread, which is not right. “When enforcement officers receive complaints, they go out to the field and must carry out their responsibilities without fear and as civil servants, they serve honestly.” Yeoh advised all parties to always assume good intentions and avoid spreading slander against one another. She said the Federal Territories Department, through City Hall, supports all dakwah activities, as long as they are conducted in accordance with regulations set by the authorities. She added that City Hall works closely with other departments and agencies, including the Islamic Development Department, Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department to ensure that events and activities receive the necessary cooperation. – By Qirana Nabilla Mohd Rashidi More AI contracts needed for SME KUALA LUMPUR: The federal and state governments, industry players and local authorities need to consider awarding more contracts related to artificial intelligence (AI) technology to local companies, especially small and medium enterprises (SME), said Investment, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Sim Tze Tzin. He added that despite government allocations, infrastructure and incentives, the level of AI acceptance among industry players still needs to be improved. He also said a few industry players had yet to take advantage of the facilities offered to boost technological capabilities and increase productivity. Sim said Malaysia is strengthening its position as a competitive and inclusive digital investment destination by implementing various strategies. “The government has provided infrastructure and assistance in terms of grants and incentives. Now, the industry needs to embrace the efforts.” – Bernama

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Move aimed at preventing normalisation of subject in public discourse: Deputy minister

and the Conference of Rulers in 2025. “The government remains firm in its policy and enforcement stance, while at the same time continuing to give priority to educational, dakwah and guidance-centred approaches carried out with prudence and wisdom.” Marhamah said from a monitoring perspective, the Islamic Development Department works with state Islamic departments, police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to monitor and curb activities related to deviant culture under existing laws. “The community also functions as an agent of change. Any information regarding the organisation of programmes, content or activities deemed suspicious should be promptly reported to the relevant authorities.” Marhamah was responding to Senator Hussin Ismail’s request for an update on monitoring LGBT-related programmes such as “Glamping With Pride” and the implementation of religious guidance initiatives to address activities that conflict with religious values and the Federal Constitution. secondary schools. She emphasised that all forms of disciplinary misconduct, including bullying and criminal behaviour, will not be tolerated, with punishments ranging from verbal and written warnings to detention, caning, suspension or expulsion depending on the severity of the offence. She was responding to Klang MP V. Ganabatirau, who asked about the total number of bullying and crime cases recorded in schools nationwide last year and the measures taken by the ministry to address the issue. She also said the ministry has a clear mechanism for addressing disciplinary issues, guided by its circular letters, including SPI No. 12 of 2023 on the Management of Bullying in Educational Institutions and SPI No. 7 of 2011 on the SOP 1:3:7 for reporting and action on student disciplinary matters. “Nationwide safety audits are also being conducted to ensure schools adhere strictly to standard operating procedures. “As of Nov 19 last year, 1,758 schools had undergone audits. We have also strengthened preventive measures through the installation of CCTV cameras and the enhancement of mental health and psychosocial support programmes, including the placement of 523 guidance and counselling teachers in schools nationwide in 2025.” – By Qirana Nabilla Mohd Rashidi

PETALING JAYA: The government plans to replace the term “LGBT” with “deviant culture”, with immediate effect, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli. Speaking in the Dewan Negara yesterday, she said the move was aimed at ensuring consistent terminology and preventing what the government views as the normalisation of such matters in public discourse. She also emphasised that the government remains firm in rejecting any efforts to promote what it describes as deviant practices and does not recognise such conduct under any circumstances. “Our concern is that if the term ‘LGBT’ becomes excessively normalised, it may eventually influence social media algorithms to further amplify and expand related content. “As we are aware, the more a term is mentioned, searched or discussed, the more content associated with it appears on digital platforms.”

on bullying. “Meanwhile, a total of 2,889 bullying cases were recorded last year, comprising 740 cases in primary schools and 2,149 in secondary schools,” she said, adding that 3,570 cases of criminal misconduct were also reported during the same period, with 457 in primary schools and 3,113 in what it calls deviant practices, referring them as the “Hijrah Community”. She added that since 2011, the Islamic Spiritual Guidance Camp has been held three times a year, reaching a total of 2,708 participants as of October 2025, and the programme continues to run. “Other initiatives have also been implemented, including academic multaqa’ (scholarly discourses), Friday sermons and mosque ta’mir programmes to emphasise understanding of aqidah (Islamic creed), fardhu ain (individual religious obligations), health and motivation, with some participants showing positive change. “(The department) has also engaged school students and university undergraduates to enhance early awareness of issues related to deviant practices at the foundational stages of education.” She added that the government will not recognise a third gender and has submitted a paper on its implications to the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs

She said there is also concern that children may become curious and begin searching for what LGBT means. “The recommendation was proposed by (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dr Zulkifli Hasan) himself, and I agree with the use of the terminology because we do not want algorithms to grow wider and more pervasive in a manner that appears as though such culture is being promoted.” Marhamah said among the contributing factors identified are the family institution, peer influence and social media. “There are numerous causes and contributing factors behind the occurrence of such practices. Through careful study of each factor, specific initiatives, action plans and outreach programmes have been developed to address and manage the underlying causes.” She added that the Islamic Development Department together with state Islamic departments and NGOs, has rolled out programmes to guide individuals involved in

Rise in bullying, criminal misconduct in schools PETALING JAYA: The Education Ministry has reported a rise in bullying and criminal misconduct in schools, with 2024 seeing the highest number of bullying cases recorded to date. comprising 1,992 in primary schools and 5,689 in secondary schools. She added that the recorded rise was partly due to

greater awareness and improved reporting by students, teachers and school administrators following the implementation of Circular Letter (SPI) No. 12 of 2023

In a written reply to Parliament, its minister Fadhlina Sidek said there were 7,681 bullying incidents nationwide in 2024,

Fadhlina said disciplinary misconduct will not be tolerated, with punishments ranging from verbal and written warnings to detention, caning, suspension or expulsion. – AI IMAGE GENERATED BY SYED AZAHAR SYEDOSMAN/THESUN